The Best Beach Festivals
Sun, sand, and slapping tunes. Check out these unreal beach festivals that’ll leave you dying to hop on the next flight.
Last updated: 16th Jun 2026
Originally published: 8th Feb 2022
Nothing goes together quite as well as sun, sea, and live music, especially when they're featured at some of the best beach festivals around the world. Spanning from the UK to Portugal, Croatia, Romania and more, with a mass of choices across all genres to pick from.
Including Afro Nation, Hideout, Boardmasters, and more, it makes catching flights and not feeling just that little bit sweeter. So if you want to be soaking up the sun this festival season, surrounded by crystal clear waters, scroll down and start planning your next trip away now.
Photo: Boardmasters / Facebook.com
When: Wednesday 5th - Sunday 9th August 2026
Where: Newquay Fistral Beach And Watergate Bay in Cornwall
2026 lineup: Fatboy Slim, The Krooks, Kasabian, Lily Allen, Loyle Carner, Pendulum, K MOTIONZ, Sota, Joy Crooks, Hannah Wants, General Levy and many more
Boardmasters, the UK's ultimate party by the beach. Spanning over two locations in Newquay, Watergate Bay, the main arena and campsite, which has a stunning view of the festival. And Fistral Beach, host to Boardmasters open, where there are surfing competitions, along with a beach bar, a shopping village and more; which is open for access without a ticket.
Morphing into a bit of a genre hopper, from a heavy indie and alternative-focused festival to now, the inclusion of mainstream pop, dance and rap, Boardmasters has adopted many traits that qualify this as a sensational beach festival. This year, on their lineup is no other than DJ Vertran Fatboy Slim, along with Lily Allen and Kasabian. The lineup also sees the likes of The Krooks, Loyle Carner, General Levy, and so many more.
With huge vibes and one of the best campsites in the UK festival scene, get your tickets now.
Find more information on Boardmasters - here
Photo: Suncébeat Festival / Facebook.com
When: Thursday 18th - Monday 22nd June 2026
Where: Lisbon
2026 Lineup: Chez Damier, Djeff, Ella Knight, DJ Spen, CUEBUR, Manoo, Tama Sumo, Kenny Dope, Ge-Ology, Mr Thing, Jerermy Underground, Terry Hunter and loads more
Another cracking beach festival on our radar is no other than Suncébeat, and this June they return to Lisbon for another edition of endless summer vibes. With previous years seeing the likes of Croatia, Suncebeat's 2026 will be back in from its main grouds of Irmão (also known as the place of happiness).
Dedicated to bringing in some of the best artists across all genres including, house, disco, soul, techno, and more, you'll be in crowds of like-minded people who appreciate not just good music, but a view to alongside it too. And with the inclusion of loads of boat parties on the agenda, you don't go wrong with Suncébeat Festival.
Find more information onSuncébeat 2026 - here
Photo: theportugalnews.com
When: Friday 3rd - Sunday 5th July 2026
Where: Praia da Rocha Beach, Portimão, Portugal
2026 Lineup: Burna Boy, Tyla, Asake, Wizkid, Gunna, Kehlani, Uncle Waffles, Mariah the Scientist, Wande Coal, Bien and loads more
Loaded with afrobeats, amapiano, dance hall, R&B, and more, is the long-awaited Afro Nation. Praised for its culture and outstanding vibes, Afro Nation comes into 2026 with its 6th edition, and they're taking no prisoners with their fire lineup.
Growing each year due to its massive online presence, Afro Nation is now one of the most in-demand Portugal festivals to date, and with an average temperature of 25 degrees and red-rock cliffs towering over the golden sand and warm sea, Afro Nation Portugal is an amazing beach festival to attend this year!
Photo: Hideout Festival / Facebook.com
When: Tuesday 30th June - Friday 3rd July, 2026
Where: Zrce Beach, Pag Island, Croatia
2026 Lineup: Ben Hemsley, KETTAMA, Fish56Octagon, Sam Divine, Interplanetary Criminal, Josh Baker, Silva Bumpa, Skream, Gorgon City, Max Dean, Ewan McVicar, Eliza Rose, DJ HEARTSTRING,
Hideout is having a huge year as they get ready to celebrate 15 years of being one of the best multi-genre beach festivals in Croatia. Across five beachfront stages, there will be some of the best artists in the game to bring you some undeniable music from house, drum and bass, garage, and techno.
Set on the iconic grounds of Zrce Beach, the water is crystal clear, the sands are white, and the vibes are top-class; It has pretty much everything you could want from a beach. And we haven’t even looked at the massive lineup, which is packed with some of the most in-demand artists right now. Hideout is internationally known and attracts people from all over the world, and there's a reason: it's quite simply one of the best parties around.
Find more information on Hideout Festival 2026- here
Photo: Les Plages Électroniques / Facebook.com
When: Friday 7th - Sunday 9th August, 2026
Where: Palais des Festivals, Cannes, France
2026 Lineup: Martin Garrix, Nico Moreno, Marshmello, Amelie Lens, DJ Snake, Sonny Fodera, Maceo Plex, Mind Against, Salvatore Ganacci, Anetha, Patrick Mason, and many more
Sand, sea and big fat electronic tunes, it's what dreams are made of. With an average temp of 22 degrees and eleven hours of fun in August, Les Plages Électroniques offers the perfect climate for a music festival on the beach; warm but not so hot you can’t handle the crowds. As well as being a few steps away from the sea, LPE is also only a short walk away from the streets of the vibrant, bustling city.
Plus, it's in France, not your typical spot for a beachside festival, but we all know how beautiful the south coast of France is. Plus, your flights are a lot shorter, and you won't get knackered out from them, meaning there's a lot more energy to get your groove on.
Find more information on Les Plages Électroniques - here
Neversea Festival
When: Friday 3rd - Sunday 5th July 2026
Where: Neversea Beach, Constanta, Romania
2026 Lineup: TBA
There has never been a soul who has been to the Neversea Festival who hasn’t fallen madly in love with this enchanted place!
Whilst the lineup is not yet out for 2025, previous editions have seen the likes of J Balvin, Steve Aoki, Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Pump, Don Diablo, Alok, Timmy Trumpet, and so much more, so you just know it's going to deliver once again.
If you are in search of love, and thirsty to explore the world while discovering yourself, then Neversea is your destination. It’s the well-deserved holiday you’ve been waiting for the whole year. And once you’ve experienced it, you already know you must come back to the Island.
That's right, when you Think Festivals, Think Skiddle. With non-stop sun, sand, and slapping tunes, you just can’t go wrong with such a combination, can you? That’s why beach festivals will always trump cold, cloudy gatherings in a massive field in the middle of nowhere.
However, if you're more genre-focused than location check out some of the best dance, house, trance, indie, hip-hop festivals here at Skiddle!
Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.
Header image: Kristina Chuprina / Pexel.com